Transformations

Every two weeks, Dan Meyers masterminds the transformation of The Market at Sea Island into the Farmers Market, an entertaining, upscale open-air event offering locally-sourced fresh vegetables, crafts and a fabulous array of food. Inside, his congenial staff creates soups, salads, and epic sandwiches in flavor combinations to satisfy any palate.

On April 3, Dan and chefs from The Market at Sea Island will take their magic on the road to the King and Prince Golf and Beach Resort for the 16th annual A Taste of Glynn, a fundraiser for the Glynn Community Crisis Center. They will join other leading culinary establishments in the Golden Isles to compete for top honors in seven categories. The favorite spring event offers superb food, a wine auction, live music, a silent auction and a chance to join friends on the oceanfront lawn of the historic hotel.

As appealing as winning awards might be, Dan has another reason to pack up his team and hand out up to 1,000 taste-sized portions of their very best dishes. “A Taste of Glynn is a lot of fun for us and for everyone who comes out to enjoy the evening,” he noted. “It’s great to win prizes, but that’s not why we participate. This is a perfect opportunity for community involvement. The Glynn Community Crisis Center is the best at helping their clients understand exactly what their needs are, then helping them to reach their goals in life.”

The Glynn Community Crisis Center serves men, women and children who have experienced domestic violence. The organization operates Amity House, the emergency shelter; a 24/7crisis line; Hope House, a transitional living residence and outreach for those who do not require shelter. Far from being a simple residential refuge, the Glynn Community Crisis Center is all about moving ahead safely with positive change. Services such as counseling, legal assistance, life skill training and help with applying for employment are arranged as needed. Once victims are financially and emotionally ready to move into their own homes, they can continue to receive on-going support as outreach clients.

Presenting sponsor, Stambaugh Aviation, joins other community business partners to bring A Taste of Glynn to life. Owners Mark (JR) and Scott Stambaugh support the organization’s concept of renewal and rebuilding. “Stambaugh Aviation has been the presenting sponsor for the Taste of Glynn for the past five years,” JR Stambaugh noted. “Our commitment to this event is based on our desire to support the Crisis Center and its mission to reach out to the victims of domestic violence, and to offer those victims a hand up and a way out of abusive situations. Each year, we are always proud and honored to take a leading role in helping victims as our friends and neighbors show outstanding support for the event.”

Funds raised by A Taste of Glynn help provide the resources needed to grow the Glynn Community Crisis Center’s community education and awareness work, as well as expand services it can offer victims. Programs for pre-teens and teens to prevent dating partner violence are highly effective to break the cycle of abuse. The organization also offers speakers to educate groups about domestic violence.

Perhaps no one is better qualified to tell the story of how the Crisis Center changes lives than Agnes, a former victim turned victor over abuse. At age 34, she became involved with her abuser after a brief, but intense, online courtship. In less than a month, he had moved into her home. A few weeks later, the abuse began. His temper was volatile and unpredictable, and he never let her out of his sight. Her life quickly deteriorated into dodging his often drug-fueled wild mood swings. She could not escape his dark world. “I lost everything,” she recalled. “My career and my home were gone. He would go to ATMs anywhere we went and force me to withdraw my savings. He took everything I had.” She remembers, “I used to laugh at girls like me. I would make fun of them for not leaving. But I didn’t understand then.”

The next five months were spent on the move, with her abuser isolating and assaulting her. When they arrived in Brunswick, Agnes heard about Amity House. She seized a rare opportunity to call the Crisis Line and escape. During her stay at Amity House, Agnes worked with her Victim’s Advocate to secure her safety and receive counseling. She began a new job, and through the rapid re-housing program, she was soon in a home of her own. In seven weeks, her life was transformed from one of pain and despair to a positive, safe and peaceful existence. She celebrated Christmas in her own “really nice” apartment, and now looks toward a much brighter future. “I am so grateful for what the Glynn Community Crisis Center and Amity House have done for me,” she shared. “They are more than what people used to call a ‘battered women’s shelter.’ Getting my independence back was huge.”

A Taste of Glynn will be held at the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on April 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door, and are available for purchase online at atasteofglynn.com or at locations listed on the site.